American Chicken and Dumpling Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty soup with tender chicken and homemade dumplings in a savory broth. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken breast, dumpling dough, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 American cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dice the 1 onion into 1/2-inch cubes, peel and julienne the 1 carrot and 1 celery stalk into 3-inch strips, and mince the 2 cloves garlic. Heat 2L vegetable broth in a large pot over medium-high heat until it simmers, then add the chicken breast, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) for safety.
  2. Step 2: Roll out the 200g dumpling dough on a floured surface into a 1/4-inch thick sheet. Cut into 1-inch squares, then gently roll each square into a ball. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 1/3 of the dumplings, and cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface. Drain and repeat with the remaining dumplings. Tip: Wet your hands before shaping the dumplings to prevent them from sticking to the surface.
  3. Step 3: Add the cooked dumplings to the simmering chicken and vegetable broth. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes, stirring gently every 5 minutes to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the bottom. Season with 1 tsp thyme and salt to taste, adjusting as needed. Tip: Taste a dumpling before serving to ensure it’s fully cooked and not underdone.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does American Chicken and Dumpling Soup take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover American Chicken and Dumpling Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in American Chicken and Dumpling Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale American Chicken and Dumpling Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with American Chicken and Dumpling Soup?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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